Saturday, December 24, 2011

Answer: My advice is that you stay away from this society because it is not upon what it used to be (from leaving the people of innovation, and giving importance to the Sunnah and its peoples, and giving importance to their refutations and warnings).

I believe that one can call to Allah without being affiliated with a society or organization; rather the path of Da'wah is much more expansive than that. As for the argument that QSS has a good history, then we say this is true. But, this does not necessitate that QSS is still upon that goodness.

A person is only praiseworthy (or blameworthy) for his steadfastness upon the Sunnah (or lack thereof). No one is infallible except the prophets and messengers. Some people have even become apostate altogether, such as Abdullah al-Qaseemee, who was praised by the major scholars in his time. But, they later criticized him, refuted him, and even declared him to be a disbeliever. It was never said to those scholars: “this is a contradiction; didn’t you just praise him yesterday?!”

Our Noble Messenger (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) spoke the truth when he said: “Verily Allah would support this religion with a wicked and sinful man.” In this narration, the Companions praised a man who used to fight with them against the polytheists; he (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said about him: “he is in the Hellfire!” Later, this man was wounded and did not have patience so he killed himself! The afore-mentioned praise of the Companions’ (may Allah be pleased with them) was of no avail to him.

Thus, the only matter of consequence is the present state of an individual and what he dies upon; as ibn Mas’ood said (may Allah be pleased with him): “Hold fast to (the way of) those who have died (i.e., died upon the Sunnah; the best of them being the Companions), for verily the living are not immune from being tested (and going astray).”

Furthermore, the Salaf (Pious Predecessors) used to refute one another’s mistakes; they never said: “Do not refute so and so because he has many good works in the past.” Why? Because this would be tantamount to destroying the religion and subjecting it to the mistakes of people!! Therefore, I advise my brothers to call to Allah without affiliation to names (of organizations). I also advise my brothers to correct anyone who errs in matters of religion, seeking by that Naseehah (sincere advice) to the nation of Mohammad (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam); and Allah, the Most High, is the Most Knowledgeable.

Question 2: Didn’t al-‘Allaamah al-Albaani (may Allah have Mercy on him) and Shaikh al-‘Abbaad (may Allah preserve him) praise/recommend the main speakers for QSS?Answer: A recommendation of a person does not make him infallible, nor does it guarantee that he will never relapse or regress.

Rather, it is a scholar’s account of a person based on what that person has revealed to this scholar up to this point in time. It is NOT a permanent, ever-lasting recommendation.

Take, for instance, the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) will see people being repelled from the Haudh (Pond) on the Day of Judgment – he used to know these people to be upon goodness – so he will say:” My companions!” It will be said to him: “Verily, you do not know what they innovated after you. Indeed they altered and changed.” He (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) will respond: “Away with them, away with them who altered and changed.” Allah tells us the statement of ‘Eesaa (peace be upon him): “And I was a witness over them while I dwelt amongst them, but when You took me up, You were the Watcher over them, and You are a Witness to all things.” (5:117)

Also, a scholar may recommend a person, while this person is actually in contradiction to his recommendation (because he put on a good show if front of this scholar). An example of this is Imaam Ahmed’s praise and recommendation of Mohammad ibn Humaid ibn Hayyaan. Abu ‘Ali an-Naysaabooree suggested to ibn Khuzaimah: “You should narrate from Mohammad ibn Humaid, for indeed Ahmed ibn Hanbal has praised him.” Ibn Khuzaimah replied: “He did not know him; and if he knew him like we know him, he would not have praised him to begin with.” (Tahdheeb at-Tahdheeb)Thus it is clear that Mohammad ibn Humaid did not show to Imaam Ahmed that which he showed to others. This fact does not bring down the position of Imaam Ahmed nor does it raise the position of Mohammad ibn Humaid. Also the scholars of Hadeeth have agreed that criticism (Jarh) is given precedence over praise (Ta’deel). This is because the criticizer possesses some additional knowledge which is not known to the praiser.

The condition of some individuals may be hidden from some major scholars, but becomes clear to other, lesser scholars. For example, Imaam al-Albaani (may Allah have mercy upon him) used to have a good opinion about Safar and Salmaan (two callers to innovation). Later he said: “It appears that our brothers, the scholars of al-Medinah, knew the condition of these individuals better than us.” Also, Imam adh-Dhahabee said in Siyar A’alaam an-Nubalaa’ under the biography of Ghulaam Khaleel: “His condition was unknown to the Major (Scholars).” Thus it is not unusual to find that the true condition of an individual is unknown to some present-day scholars, whilst being known to others. Thus, the decisive matter is the statement of criticism, which is given precedence over the statement of praise.

Question 3: Isn’t it true that al-Halabee has not changed since the days he was with Imaam al-Albaani? Rather, the Extremists in Criticism (Ghulaat at-Tajreeh) are the ones who have changed!?

Answer: This claim is baseless for several reasons. Who can claim that al-Halabee has not changed? Rather he has certainly changed. Did al-Halabee used to defend Ihyaa’ at-Turaath in front of Imaam al-Albaani, who used to criticize it (or did al-Halabee begin to defend it after his death)?

Did al-Halabee used to defend Abu Ishaaq al-Huwaynee in the past (as he does now)? He clearly said in a past statement (which I heard): “Verily he (al-Huwaynee) praises the people of Takfeer, and this proves his ignorance and innovation, and that he is about to go out of as-Salafiyyah.” So who is it that has changed??!! I listened to a recording of Abu Ishaaq al-Huwaynee in which he makes Takfeer (declares to be a disbeliever) anyone who continuously deals in Ribaa (interest). Is this the methodology of the Salaf (Pious Predecessors)?! Rather it is clearly from the methodology of the Khawaarij. And indeed I heard ash-Shaikh al-‘Allaamah Muqbil declare him (al-Huwaynee) to be an innovator.

And when did al-Halabee used to praise Mohammad Hassaan? Rather he used to warn against Hassaan and call him a “Takfeeree”. Verily I heard Mohammad Hassaan say that he went out in the Egyptian Protests with his wife and children (we seek refuge with Allah)!! I also heard him say that revolting against a muslim ruler is a matter of difference of opinion, and that revolting is only with the sword (as for talking against the muslim ruler than this is not considered revolting)!!

Also why do those who defend al-Halabee not consider the warning of our Shaikh al-‘Abbaad against ‘Adnaan ‘Ar’oor (who al-Halabee defends), and obligate al-Halabee and his followers to adhere to this warning of truth. Or is it the Desire in their hearts which has blinded them, so they pick and choose what pleases them?!

Furthermore, al-Halabee defends the statement: “there was scum amongst the Sahaabah.” We seek refuge with Allah; this is a statement of falsehood. Verily, al-Imaam Ahmed found fault with ‘Alee ibn al-Ja’ad because he called the Noble Companion Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): “that young boy”. Can you imagine what al-Imaam Ahmed would do if he heard al-Halabee say “scum”??!!

The point of the matter is that al-Halabee has changed and he has changed a great deal (since the days of al-Imaam al-Albaanee). We must listen and adhere to the statements of our scholars concerning al-Halabee so that we are not misguided. For example, al-Lajnah ad-Daa’imah (The Standing Committee) refuted him and warned against him. Likewise our Shaikhs Saalih al-Fauzaan, ‘Obaid al-Jaabiree, and Mohammad ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee have warned against him. Also al-‘Allaamah al-Ghudayaan (may Allah have mercy upon him) declared him to be an innovator, as did our Noble Shaikh and Father, al-‘Allaamah Rabee’ ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee. Shaikh Rabee’ in particular has dedicated his life to defending the Methodology of our Pious Predecessors, such that al-Imaam al-Albaani gave him the title: “The Flag-bearer of al-Jarh wat-Ta’deel (Disparaging and Praising)”. Or is it that Sh. al-Albaani’s recommendation for Sh. Rabee’ is outdated while his recommendation for Alee al-Halabee still stands??!!

Also our Shaikh Saalih as-Suhaymee talked against al-Halabee; when he was asked about him, he said: “I advise you to adhere to that which al-Lajnah ad-Daa’imah (the Standing Committee) has said concerning him. All of the afore-mentioned scholars are not known except to defend the Sunnah; they are not known for amassing wealth and chasing after worldly possessions from one country to the next…

As for what some say -- that al-Halabee’s mistakes are in Furoo’ (branches) -- then this is also a baseless claim. For it is not from the Furoo’ to disparage the Companions, or approve of Unity or Brotherhood of Religions, or praise the People of Innovation, or other than that from the ‘Usool (Foundational Matters of Ahl as-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah) which al-Halabee and his followers have violated and destroyed…such that, on their website, they praise the Khawaarij and lament many People of Innovation (we seek refuge with Allah from this)…

As for the branch offices of QSS in America, I have advised some of them to abandon their affiliation and make their da’wah independent of QSS (for indeed names and slogans do not make anyone sacred). If these branch offices persist in their affiliation, they will be grouped with QSS without reverence, because Affiliation and Disavowal is from the ‘Usool (Foundational Matters of Religion). As for the President of QSS, ‘Abdul-Mun’im Abu Rakhees (may Allah guide him), then he is one of those afflicted with disparaging People of Sunnah; and this is a sign of the People of Innovation, as mentioned by al-Imaam al-Raazi (may Allah have mercy upon him).

Therefore, I clearly warn against QSS, and I warn against cooperation and participation with it in any program or in any place. We must all fear Allah concerning this Salafi Methodology (of the Pious Predecessors), which condones neither extremism nor negligence.

Furthermore, it is incumbent upon everyone to realize that every time has its men – from the Imaams of al-Jarh wat-Ta’deel (Disparaging and Praising) – by whom Allah preserves this Religion. And at the head of them in this time is our Shaikh and Father, Rabee’ ibn Hadee al-Madkhalee (may Allah preserve him). His concern is this Da’wah, not bringing people down (without justification). He is not someone who just became known recently; he was considered an Imaam at the time of the Imaams Ibn Baaz, al-Albaani, and al-Uthaimeen (may Allah have mercy upon them). These three Imaams used to praise not only Shaikh Rabee’ personally, but they also praised his Methodology.

It should be noted that Shaikh Rabee’ has not changed in the least since these great Imaams issued their praise of him. He has not changed his Methodology in warning against People of Innovation and Desires. Rather, it is al-Halabee and his followers who have changed to the point that they praise those they used to criticize and criticize those they used to praise!! On the contrary, anyone who claims that Shaikh Rabee’ has changed his Methodology (since the three Imaams), then let him bring his proof if he is from the Truthful – and he will never be able to do so.

I remember the day I asked al-Halabee about Abul-Hasan al-Misri when I was in Jordan -- this was during the early stages of the Fitnah of Abul-Hasan. Al-Halabee said: “the people here in Jordan do not know of Abul-Hasan, so why should we introduce him to them?” Then after allowing his scheme to run its course, al-Halabee now comes out, on his own website, extoling his praises on Abul-Hasan and citing him as a witness (to his falsehood)!! There is no doubt that the People of Innovation ally one with another in every time against the People of Sunnah. They apply the Principle of al-Ikhwaan al-Muslimoon: “We work together in what we have in common and excuse one another in our differences”.

I also remind my Brothers and Sisters that the true goal of the Groups of Innovation is to bring down the Methodology of the Pious Predecessors. They hide behind slogans like “Fighting Ghuluw (Extremism)” and “Fighting the Methodology of Shaikh Rabee’ ibn Haadee”. This is none other than what the People of Group-Partisanship did at the time of the Gulf War and during the fitan (trials) which followed it; but Allah caused them to fail. I ask you O’ Brother, who is more severe in speech: Shaikh Rabee’ ibn Haadee or Shaikh Muqbil ibn Haadee? The answer is Shaikh Muqbil by far. Then if Shaikh Rabee’ is from the Ghulaat (Extremists), then Shaikh Muqbil is the Shaikh of the Extremists (we seek refuge with Allah)!

By their deceptive ways, they seek to make brotherhood between the People of Innovation, so beware of them (we ask Allah’s assistance against them and their evil scheming). Do not let them confuse you concerning your Religion. You must read and study the books of the Pious Predecessors under the tutelage of the Scholars of Sunnah. And we praise Allah that some of these early works have been translated. Therefore learn your Religion and learn how the Imaams of the Pious Predecessors used to defend this Sound Religion.

I further remind all of you that our Scholars are united -- like the heart of a single man – in fighting against Innovation and its People. However, the condition of certain individuals may be hidden from some of our Scholars while it appears to others; this by no means indicates that they differ in Methodology.

Finally, it is not for one such as I to write about this matter, for the Major Scholars have already addressed it. But, my brothers requested me and entrusted me with this topic. And Allah knows the intentions, and He guides to the Straight Path. And finally we ask Allah to send Salaat (mentioning in the presence of the Angels) upon our Prophet Mohammad and his Family and all of his Companions.

Written by the one in dire need of his Lord, The Most Generous‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Mohammad al-‘OmisanAt the time of ‘Asr on the day of TuesdayThe Thirteenth of Thul-Qi’dah, 1432H